Folder control with timer selector



Aug. 27, 1957 a. A. Buss 2,304,298

7 FOLDER CONTROL WI TH TIMER SELECTOR Filed Nov. 6, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheetl m4 m m i:

Aug. 27, 1957 B. A. BUSS .FOLDER CONTROL mm TIMER SELECTOR 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nqv'. 6, 1953 5 A FL-Buss wj mi INVENTOR.

United States '1? 2,804,298 FOLDER CONTROL WITH TIMER SELECTOR BenjaminAlvin Buss, East Moline, 111., assignor to American Machine and Metals,Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application November 6,1953, Serial No. 390,587

4 Claims. (Cl. 270-81) The present invention relates broadly toautomatic control mechanism and more particularly to a sensitivemeasuring device for controlling the various lines of folds in launderedarticles which are folded after being ironed.

In the laundry machine art there has been more and more demand forautomatic machinery to perform operations more rapidly than possiblewhen performed by human hands. Accordingly, the speeds of delivery ofironing machines and folding machines has increased to the point wherearticles to be folded pass through a folder at speeds in excess of onehundred feet per minute. Such speeds have made the problem of accuratelymeasuring and folding an article more difiicult. The time lags involvedin ordinary relays, for instance, is such that errors in the foldingline of several inches may be encountered because of the time it takesfor such devices to operate in their movement of pulling in and droppingout.

In order to eliminate as many time lags as possible I have caused rapidaction switches to be operated directly by the power exerted uponmeasuring fingers or the like as an article to be folded passes a givenpoint in the conveyor tapes of a folding machine. Accordingly, Iencounter only one time lag which is that of the acceleration of themass of the parts of the measuring device. By keeping the mass as low aspossible within sound engineering technique and employing as substantiala spring force as can be operated by the articles, it is possible toreduce this time to :a very small fraction of a second. Hence, inpracticing my invention, it becomes possible to fold sheets and the likealmost as accurately as can be done by hand but at several times thespeed that such operations can be performed by hand.

Accordingly, a prime object of my invention is to provide an improvedmeasuring device for folding machines or the like which receive articlesof varying length and folds them into a predetermined number of folds.

In another aspect of the invention, an arrangement has been providedparticularly useful with the sensing device of the present invention andwherein a plurality of timing means is employed having twocharacteristic manners of operation, such as two speeds. The particulartiming means to be operated is controlled by a selector means, theselector means being operated or turned by a control means. The controlmeans, which includes a rotatable ratchet wheel, is operated by asensing device having two positions. When the sensing means is in afirst position in response to a passing article, the appropriateselector unit will start one of said timers in its first characteristicmanner, the control means having been rotated by movement of the sensingunits. When the sensing unit is moved to its second position afterpassage of said article, the control means or ratchet wheel will bemoved in the same direction thereby. Upon movement of the selectordevice in response to movement of the sensing means to said secondposition the timing means will be caused to operate in its secondcharacteristic manner.

Other objects and advantages of my invention reside in the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of parts to be more fully describedbelow, set forth in appended claims and shown in the accompanyingdrawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a folding machine,Fig. 2 is a semi-detailed semi-diagrammatic view of the measuring switchportion of my invention,

Fig. 3 is a semi-detailed semi-diagrammatic view of a timer shown morein detail in the application of Benjamin S. Kagan S. N. 312,834, nowPatent No. 2,774,592, and,

Fig. 4 is a partial view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in adifierent position such as occurs when a sheet or the like is not inengagement with the measuring finger thereof.

Referring more in detail to the. drawing and first to Fig. l, a foldingmachine generally indicated at is adapted to receive sheets 11, 12, 13and 14 in succession from an ironing machine, not shown. Sets ofconveyor tapes 15, 16, and 17 deliver these sheets progressively throughthe machine until finally folded sheets or the like are delivered to areceiving table 18. The rolls carrying the tapes 15, 16 and 17 aresuitably power driven by drive means, not shown.

operates controls within a case 21 to set up operation of timingmechanisms within a case 22 to operate folding blades 23 and 24 when thesheet 12 attains the proper position in the folding machine 10. As thesheet passes through the machine and reaches the proper position, firstthe blade 23 is operated by an electric motor 25 or the like under theinfluence of the timers in the control box 22. Similarly when the sheetadvances adjacent the folding blade 24 a motor 26 or the like operatessame to cause a second fold under the influence of the controller in theF control box 22, all to be described more in detail below.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 the measuring finger 20 is shown in aposition which it would take just during passage of an article. When thesheet 12 is between the conveyor tapes 15, and the leading edge of asheet 12 or the like engages the finger in its dotted line position, thefinger will be rotated clockwise into the position shown in full lines.By such rotation a ratchet 30 is caused to move A of a turn to theposition shown in Fig. 2. In this position a roller on a switch arm 31will be forced by a spring 31a into a dwell 32 of a cam 33 and close acontact 34. The spring 31a by forcing the roller into the dwell 32contributes to proper and accurate operation of the mechanism. Cams 35,36 and 37 are all similar to cam 33 having two dwells 180 degrees apartbut spaced successively radially by forty-five degrees. Thus for everyturn of the ratchet 30 the rollers of switches 31, 38, 39 and 40successively drop into their respective dwells and only one at a timewill do so. Thus, as the finger 20 moves to the advanced position shownin Fig. 2 and thereafter back to the retracted position shown in Fig. 4,the ratchet 30 will be advanced by the two said motions by 1 8 of a turn(or forty-five degrees) in two 1 turn increments.

The details of construction'of my improved ratchet mechanism will now bedescribed. The ratchet 30 is mounted on suitable bearings, not shown, ina box which may have a cover 46 sealed by a gasket .or solder or thelike 47 to the box 45. An oil seal plug 48 may be provided to fill thebox to an oil level 50 submerging all of the operating parts. Themeasuring finger 24 may have a rod 51 passing through a side of the casethrough a sealed bearing, not shown, and be secured to a hub 52 on anarcuate segment 53 carrying a cam advancing operating lever 54 and a camadvancing retraction operating lever 55. A spring 57 is connected to thesegment at an car 58 and to the box at 59. The spring 57 biases thesegment 53 to a stop 60 which limits the counterclockwise motion of thesegment 53. In the position shown in Fig. 2

Patented Aug. 27, 1957 It is to be noted in referring to Fig. 2 that adistance x is the effective moment arm of the spring 57 torotate thesegment 53. Referring to Fig; 4 it-is" seen-that the distance y isgreater than 2;. 'It; isalso to be ncted that a tension spring 65 exertsgreater force in theposit onshown, in Fig. 2 than in the position shownin Fig. 4.;

These spring forces may beso balanced; with the variable moment arms xand sothat when the measuring finger is depressed'as shown in Fig.Zorretractedas shown'm Fig. 4 there may be substantiallya constantspring exerted upon the measuring finger-20. Inasmuch'asgthere arms 97and 98 will engage their respective contacts 99 and 100 to establish a'holdingcircuit until they disengage after one complete revolution.

When theisheet 12 passes the measuringfinger 20 it is moved by thespring 57 to the retracted position shown in Fig. 4 thus rotating theratchet 30 turn in the clockwise direction and engaging a contact 101with the contact arm 31, The contact 34 will be instantly broken so area large number of these measuringfingers exteiiding up betweentheconveyor tapes 15 when in the retracted position it is importanbthat ahigh spring force together with low inertia parts he ,maintained asnearly as possible. My novel spring arrangcmentin connection with thearcuatesegment 53 andthe operating-leversi54 and, 55 provides suchrelationshipandhencepermits of relatively high springforces forrelativelylightparts.

With'the device submerged in oil'as shown and relatively high springforces ,on the spring 65, his possible to rotatethe ratchet .wheel'rap-idly {and still stop the same sharply in the two turn positions. Itis 'noted in referring to Fig. 2 that the lever arm has been rotated 1around its pivoting point 55A and has dropped oflfxa.

point 68 of the ratchet 30. The spring will thus rotate the lever 55.clockwise to cause it to strike 'a blow upon a surface 69 to contributeto quickly stopping the.

rotation of the ratchet 30. At substantially the, same instant the lever54 will engageasui face-70also to contribute to the stopping motion.

Upon the other sense or movement ,ofthe rneasu'ring finger .20 in acounterclockwise direction, the .lever 55 will rotate the ratchet 30clockwise. or Inthisinstance, as shown in Fig. 4,.the lever 54 dropsofithe surface 70 and the lever 55 engagesthe surface69 to.contribute torapid stopping when the lever 20.jrotates counterclocky wise. It is tobe understood thatthe, switches 31, 38,39 and 40 accordingly areprovided a snapaction by the motion in clockwise and counterclockwisedirection of. the

measuring finger 20 and hence, itis not required that.

snap switches be used. However, it is to be understood that the, broadconcept of the invention also may use snap switches and such haveactually beenlused in devices of this type. V

Each of the switches 31, 38, 39, and controlstime rs 80, 81, 82 and83inthe timer box 22.1. Accordingly, a device is provided whichcan have fourarticlesat a, time in the folding machine and diiferentofjthe timersre-, spond to the measurement of the separateitems and con,-

trol the folding devices 25 and 26 for effecting .the proper folds inthe pieces. Inasmuch as allthe, devices. are identical only one willbetdescribedIin detail. Withthe contact 34 engaged by theswitch,blade;31, current will' flow from line wire L1 to theswitchcontact 31, con.- tact 34, wire 85 totimer 80; andthroughjwires86, and 87to a motor 88 driving ,a free wheeledmverruninggear 89 torotate a cam'90 in a clockwise. direction. In addition, current passesthrough a wire, 92 tov a speed motor 93 driving asimilarjoverrunning.gear'94 to .turn a cam 95 ina clockwise direction. Withsuch structure,the cam will rotateiinitially at aspeed corresponding of half. the speedand cam ;will--operatetat% speed of the conveyor tapes in the foldingmachineaslongas the measuring finger. 20 is .in its depressedpositionthus en gaging contact arm31 with contacta'nn'34. Accordingly,

the cams and.95twill rotateto positions proportional Cams, 90 and 950will" be. rotated clockwise; and: switch:

that the above traced circuits to motors '88 and93 are broken. vHowever,simultaneously therewith the following circuit is established from linewire L-lthrough switch arm 31 a contact 101 wire 102 to the timer 80throughwire 103, wire 104, contact 99, switch arm 97, wire 105 to a fullspeed motor 106, wire 107 and wire 108 to line wire L-2.. This circuitwill energize motor 106 which through an overrunning gear 110 will drivethe cam 90 at a speed corresponding to the fullspeed of the conveyortapes in the folding machine 10.

A circuit-for a fullspeed motor 111 may be traced from wire 103 undercontrol of switch contact 101 through a wire 112 contact 100 switch arm93 a wire 115 motor half andquarter folder mechanisms 25 and 26 respecttively through circuits now to be described.

When the switch blade 121 engages the contact'120 the article to befolded will be so positioned in the folding machine that when thefolding device 25 moves the folding blade 23 to the folding rollscooperable therewith substantiallythe exact center point of the articlemeasured will be forced between these rolls. Such action'of the controlmotor is accomplished through the following circuit. From linewire L1wir'es125 and ,126 to control motor 25 through wirel127 and 128 to thecontrol box 80, wire 129, contact 120, switch blade121, wire 130 andwire 108 to line wire L-2t Hence, as the dwell in the cam 90 passes aroller 131 connected with the switch blade 121 the above describedcircuit is established to cause actuation of the /2 folding operatormotor 25. v

When the article to be folded controlled by the folding control 80 isin-position adjacent 13% fold blade 24 the dwell in cam 95 will be sopositioned adjacent a roller 133 to cause engagement of switch blade 123with contact 122 to establish the following circuit from, line wire L-1through wire 125, wire 1 35, folder operatorl26, wire 136, wire 137' tofolder control 80, wire 138, contact 122, switch blade 1 23, wire 140and Wire 108 toiline wire L-2. This circuit will cause actuation of the4 fold device.

Measuring finger operated cams 35, 36 and 37 cooperate respectively andin, succession with switch: arms 38, 39 and 40. The contact arm38fcooperates with con- I trolled an operation the cam 33 will next bebrought into play to control the folding of the next following article.a p t In the foregoing description it is seen that I have provided anovel and accurate folder control mechanism to more accurately providefolding operations at high speeds. Inasmuch as alterations andmodifications will occur to those skilled in the art in view of-thisdisclosure itis to, be understood that I am;not to be limited in myinvention only to the specific forms shown and described but by thescope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a folding machine having conveyor means for carrying articles tobe folded along a path and folding means for said articles, thecombination of a plurality of timing means having first and secondcharacteristic manners of operation, each of said timing means beingadapted to cause operation of said folding means when operating in saidsecond characteristic manner, measuring means operable by movement of anarticle along said path and having a first position when sensing saidarticle and a second position when not sensing said article, controlmeans directly connected to and rotatably moved one step by saidmeasuring means when in said first position and. a second step in thesame direction when in said second position, and selector means moved bysaid control means for controlling the operations of said several timingmeans respectively in said first characteristic manner when saidmeasuring means is in its first position and controlling the secondcharacteristic operations of said timing means when said measuring meansis in said second position.

2. In a folding machine having conveyor means for carrying articles tobe folded along a path and folding means for said articles, thecombination of a plurality of timing means each operable in a firstcharacteristic manner at a first time and in a second characteristicmanner at a second time, each of said timing means being adapted tocontrol the operation of said folding means when operating in saidsecond characteristic manner, measuring means sensitive to movement ofan article along said path and having a first position when sensing saidarticle and a second position when not sensing said article, controlmeans including a ratchet wheel moved by said measuring means when insaid first position to a first position for causing operationsequentially of said timing means in said first characteristic manner,said control means being moved to a second position by said measuringmeans when it is in its second position, and selector means moved bysaid control means for selecting the timing means to be operated andalso controlling the second characteristic operation of the timing meansbeing operated when said measuring means' moves to said second position.

3. In a folding machine control having means for carrying an article tobe folded along a path, the compasses said point, said means including apair of operating levers, selector means including a ratchet Wheelcooperable with said levers and operable thereby, and spring meansconnecting said levers and biasing each of said levers into contact withsaid ratchet Wheel to act as ratchet pawls, said spring means beinglocated relative to each other so that the combined force exerted issubstantially uniform, said wheel being moved in predetermined steps bysaid levers in one direction by said measuring means upon each movementof said measuring means.

4, In a folding machine control having means for carrying an article tobe folded along a path, the combination including measuring meansresponsive to the passage of an article past a predetermined point, saidmeasuring means being movable in one sense when the leading edge of anarticle reaches said point and biased for movement in the opposite sensewhen the trailing edge of said article passes said point, a ratchetwheel, oscillatable means connected with and movable by said measuringmeans, a pair of operating levers contactable with said ratchet wheelfor driving the same, said levers being connected to said oscillatablemeans, said operating levers being located either side of the axis ofoscillation of said oscillatable means, spring means biasing said leversinto engagement against said ratchet wheel, spring means urging saidoscillatable means in one di rection, said spring means being located toprovide a predetermined substantially uniform force thereto regardlessof the position of said measuring means, and selector means moved inpredetermined steps in one direction by said measuring means regardlessof the sense of movement of said measuring means.

2,659,598 McLogan Nov. 17, 1953

